Trish Vaka Explained

Trish Vaka
Birth Name:Patricia Amelia Vaka
Full Name:Patricia Amelia Vaka
Birth Date:1986 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Okaihau, New Zealand
Height:170cm
Weight:86kgs
School:Okaihau College
Occupation:Professional boxer
Rugby union player
Personal trainer
Ru Currentposition:Hooker/Lock
Ru Currentteam:Northland Kauri
Amatyears1:2014 - Present
Amatteam1:Kaikohe RFC
Ru Provinceyears1:2018 - Present
Ru Province1:Northland Kauri
Ru Provinceapps1:25
Ru Provincepoints1:10

Patricia Amelia Vaka (born 17 May 1986) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player and professional boxer.[1] [2]

In 2019, the Northland women's rugby team known as the Northland Kauri made their debut in the Women's Provincial Championship, now known as the Farah Palmer Cup. Vaka was named one of the original founding players for Northland in the Championships.[3] In 2023, the Northland Kauri won their first Farah Palmer Cup Championship.[4]

As a professional boxer, she has fought some of the world's best heavyweight boxers including retired WBO light heavyweight champion Geovana Peres and IBF world heavyweight champion Lani Daniels.

Rugby union

Kaikohe rugby

In 2022, Vaka played four games for the Kaikohe women's rugby team, with one bye and a game that was deemed a draw, however did not take place due to COVID.[5] [6] Vaka scored one try within the first minute against HH Women Rugby Team.[7] Kaikohe won one out of the four games of the season.[8]

Northland Kauri

In 2019, Northland reached the semi-finals, playing against Hawkes Bay. Vaka was named the number 4 for the game.[9] [10] Hawkes Bay won the game with a score of 46–31.[11]

In 2020, Vaka was named in the Northland Kauri team, however the team did not reach the finals this year.[12]

On 20 August 2022, Vaka played for Northland against Taranaki at TET Stadium & Events Centre. 56 minutes and 35 seconds into the game, Vaka scored her first try of her Farah Palmer Cup career.[13] Northland won the game by 29 - 15.[14] In September 2022, Northland Reached the semi-finals, playing against Hawkes Bay for the third time. Vaka was named the number 2 for the game.[15] Hawkes Bay won the game with a score of 28–19.[16]

On 19 August 2023, Vaka came off the bench to score her second try with the Northland Kauri team against Tasman.[17] In September 2023, The Northland Kauri won their first Championships.[18]

Boxing

Weight:Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Height:170cm
Nationality:New Zealand
Boxrec:809204
Total:9
Wins:1
Ko:1
Losses:7
Draws:0
No Contests:1

On 1 September 2017, Vaka made her professional boxing debut against Lani Daniels.[19] Daniels won the fight by unanimous decision.[20] In her third fight of her professional career, Vaka took on Geovana Peres for the vacant New Zealand national (PBCNZ version) light heavyweight title. Peres won the fight by unanimous decision.[21] In November 2017, Vaka took on Daniels in a rematch for the vacant New Zealand national (NZPBA version) light heavyweight title. Daniels won the fight by unanimous decision.[22] In August 2018, Vaka made her Australian debut when she took on undefeated Natalie Jenkinson. Vaka received her first victory of her professional boxing career, winning the fight by 2nd-round knockout. After the fight she receive a ranking of 8th in the world on Boxrec.[23] In December 2018, Vaka took on Peres in a rematch. This was a fight before Peres went on to win the world light heavyweight title. Peres won the fight by unanimous decision.[24] Despite her loss, she still maintained a ranking of 10th on Boxrec.[25] In November 2019, Vaka fought on the Geovana Peres vs. Claire Hafner world title undercard making her New Zealand television debut.[26] She took on undefeated Australian boxer Desley Robinson.[27] Robinson won the fight by Unanimous Decision.[28] Outside of competing, Vaka is a boxing professional trainer.[29] In November 2023, it was announced that Vaka would make her in ring return on the dual world title undercard that would happen at McKay Stadium in Whangarei, New Zealand.[30] She will be taking on London resident New Zealander, Roseanna Cox.[31] The fight was an 83kg catchweight fight.[32] Cox won the fight by unanimous decision.[33]

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
9Loss1–7 Roseanna CoxUD 62 Dec 2023
8Loss1–6 Desley RobinsonUD44 Oct 2019
7Loss1–5 Geovana PeresUD66 Dec 2018
6Loss1–4 Tessa Tualevao 630 Nov 2018
5Win1–3 Natalie Jenkinson KO2 (4), 0:4911 Aug 2018
4Loss0–3 Lani DanielsUD818 Nov 2017
3Loss0–2 Geovana PeresUD813 Oct 2017
2NC0–1 Tessa Tualevao49 Sep 2017
1Loss0–1 Lani Daniels41 Sep 2017

Awards and recognitions

Personal life

Vaka is of Māori descent, and affiliates to Ngāpuhi.[39]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NORTHLAND RELISHING FARAH PALMER CUP OPPORTUNITY. All Blacks. 2019-08-23 . 2023-02-12.
  2. Web site: 2022 Media Guide. Provincial Rugby . 2023-02-12.
  3. Web site: NORTHLAND RELISHING FARAH PALMER CUP OPPORTUNITY. All Blacks. 2019-08-23 . 2023-02-12.
  4. Web site: NORTHLAND HEADED FOR PREMIERSHIP IN 2024. All Blacks. 2019-09-10 . 2023-09-11.
  5. Web site: Kaikohe vs Te Rarawa. Northland Rugby. 2022-05-22 . 2023-02-12.
  6. Web site: Kaikohe vs Te Rarawa first game. Northland Rugby. 2022-04-03 . 2023-02-12.
  7. Web site: Kaikohe vs HH Rugby. Northland Rugby. 2022-05-08 . 2023-02-12.
  8. Web site: Kaikohe vs Motukohu. Northland Rugby. 2022-04-08 . 2023-02-12.
  9. Web site: FARAH PALMER CUP: SEMIFINALS PREVIEW. Provincial Rugby NZ. 2019-10-18 . 2023-02-12.
  10. Web site: FNorthland Kauri to take on Hawke's Bay Tui announced. Northland Ruby. 2019-10-17 . 2023-02-12.
  11. Web site: Kauri take plenty away from season. Northern Age. 2019-10-22 . 2023-02-12.
  12. Web site: NORTHLAND KAURI: PREVIEW 2020. All Blacks. 2020-08-21 . 2023-02-12.
  13. Web site: Round 6 HIGHLIGHTS. All Blacks. 2022-08-21 . 2023-02-16.
  14. Web site: FARAH PALMER CUP: ROUND 6 REVIEW. All Blacks. 2022-08-21 . 2023-02-16.
  15. Web site: FARAH PALMER CUP SEMI FINAL!. Northland Rugby. 2022-09-02 . 2023-02-12.
  16. Web site: Hawke's Bay Tui beat Northland Kauri 28-19 to make Farah Palmer Cup Championship final. Stuff NZ. 2022-09-03 . 2023-02-12.
  17. Web site: FARAH PALMER CUP ROUND 6: TEAM LISTS. Provincial Rugby. 2023-08-20 . 2023-09-11.
  18. Web site: FARAH PALMER CUP FINALS: TEAM LISTS. Provincial Rugby. 2023-09-11 . 2023-09-11.
  19. Web site: The History of New Zealand Women's Heavyweight Boxing. Womens Boxing. 2023-01-08 . 2023-02-12.
  20. Web site: Baby Nansen wins her first Pro Boxing Title. Womens Boxing. 2017-09-02 . 2023-02-12.
  21. Web site: Brazilian boxer wins a second New Zealand title. Stuff NZ. 2017-10-17 . 2023-02-12.
  22. Web site: Lani Daniels Defends NZPBA Championship on July 14th Against Nailini Helu. Women Of Boxing. 2018-06-06 . 2023-02-12.
  23. Web site: Returning multi-code World Champion returns next week. Women Boxing. 2019-09-28 . 2023-02-12.
  24. Web site: Geovana Peres Moves Through Trish Vaka to Maintain her Positioning for a Heavyweight Championship Bid. Women of Boxing. 2018-12-06 . 2023-02-12.
  25. Web site: LESBIAN KIWI BOXER RANKED FIRST IN THE WORLD FOLLOWING WIN. Gay Express. 2018-12-20 . 2023-02-12.
  26. Web site: The lonely road of a boxing world champ. Newsroom. 2019-10-02 . 2023-02-12.
  27. Web site: Boxing: Canadian star arrives for WBO Light Heavyweight title shot against Geovana Peres. New Zealand Herald. 2019-10-01 . 2023-02-12.
  28. Web site: Geovana Peres retains WBO light-heavyweight world title by beating Claire Hafner. Stuff NZ. 2019-10-05 . 2023-02-12.
  29. Web site: Northland news in brief: WBHS logo approved, self-defence for women. Northern Advocate. 2019-11-29 . 2023-02-12.
  30. Web site: Northland Kauri player Trish Vaka returns to boxing ring at Wahine Toa II. Northern Advocate. 2023-11-10 . 2023-11-20.
  31. Web site: Big fight night featuring Mea Motu and Lani Daniels in Whangārei sold out. Northern Advocate. 2023-11-07 . 2023-11-20.
  32. Web site: Boxing: Mea Motu, Lani Daniels make weight ahead of Wāhine Toa II fight night. Northern Advocate. 2023-12-01 . 2023-11-04.
  33. Web site: Wins for Mea Motu, Lani Daniels on historic night in Whangarei. Stuff NZ. 2023-12-02 . 2023-12-04.
  34. Web site: Northland sport stars honoured in Conbiro Northland Sports Awards.. Northland Advocate. 2018-12-22 . 2023-02-12.
  35. Web site: Lani Daniels wins Local Award.. Ring News 24. 2019-03-18 . 2023-02-12.
  36. Web site: 2018 Winners Far North Sports Awards. Far North District Council. 2023-02-12.
  37. Web site: FNDC Far North Sports Awards Finalists Named. Northland Sports. 2023-02-12.
  38. Web site: Far North sport awards finalists named. Northern Age. 2018-11-15. 2023-02-12.
  39. Web site: Maori Female Boxers compete in different sports. Womens Boxing. 2023-02-13. 2023-02-14.